WO2010028911A1

WO2010028911A1 - Apparatus for preventing sudden infant death

Info

Publication number: WO2010028911A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/059903
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Eschler; Michael Dambier
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-09-12
Filing date: 2009-07-30
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: DE102008042017A1; US20110221598A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for preventing sudden infant death. It comprises a detection device 10 for detecting at least one infant-specific state parameter P and a wake-up device 20 for waking up the infant B as a function of a value of the detected state parameter P.

Description

description

title

DEVICE FOR PREVENTION OF SUDDENCE OF INFAMOUS DEFICIENCY

The invention relates to a device for the prevention of sudden infant death.

State of the art

The causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SID = Sudden Infant Death), despite being aware of various risk factors, are still not fully understood. After

Germany's federal health reporting system makes Germany one of the laggards in SID avoidance in an international comparison. This circumstance is to be counteracted by an improved information strategy and sensitization of the population to this problem. The following recommendations are given to the parents on the basis of numerous studies:

a) Prevent the prone position of the sleeping infant

This recommendation was given because many SID victims were laid to sleep in prone position or in a lateral position and found dead in prone position. Studies have suggested that the risk increases greatly when the infant is laid to sleep in the prone position. But even if the infant is put to sleep supine or in a lateral position, there is still the risk that the infant rotates during sleep in the prone position, so that even with correct bedding of the infant, although a reduced, but still significant residual risk exists for SID. Pathophysiological studies have shown that the prone position often results in less brain stem blood flow. For this reason, babies in the prone position seem to breathe flatter and the cough reflex is weaker. Investigations of the cervical vertebrae also showed in the prone position the appearance of an increased angle between the first and second cervical vertebrae. It is believed that this is also a SID favorable factor.

b) Protection against overheating of the infant

Studies have shown that over-warming the infant is 3.5 times more likely to cause SID. As a control, it is recommended that the infant should be warm in the neck and between the shoulder blades but not sweaty. c) Use of a sleeping bag

SID victims were often found covered under a duvet or pillow. The nose and mouth were found pressed against the blanket, the pillow or a large cuddly toy, which led to the conclusion that the SID was caused by a rebreathing or suffocation. When the infant sleeps in the parent's bed, in addition to the risks mentioned above, there is the added risk of being covered by the father's or mother's body. As a recommendation, the use of a special sleeping bag is given, the neck opening is not larger than the head circumference of the infant. Such a sleeping bag is also suitable to avoid the turning of a bedded baby lying in the risky prone position (see recommendation a)) as far as possible.

d) refrain from smoking

Approximately 30% of SID cases have been reported in studies of tobacco smoke exposure during and after pregnancy.

There are currently several products available on the market that are designed to prevent SID. These include, in particular, sleeping bags for infants, thermometers for determining and evaluating the skin temperature of the infant, and pressure-sensitive mat movement monitors which report an alarm if the infant does not move for more than 20 seconds. Respiratory monitoring breathing monitors based on a sensor mat are also available to alert if breathing stops for more than 20 seconds or if the baby inhales less than 10 times per minute. Finally, there are (currently only in the clinical field) devices with which a variety of vital parameters of an infant can be monitored. In addition to the equipment complexity and cost of such medical equipment (such as devices for cardiorespiratory monitoring), however, a safe prevention of SID is not detected here, so that an application of such devices in the private sector does not seem advisable.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The basic idea of the present invention is to awaken the infant in the presence of an SID-promoting risk factor for safety's sake. Therefore, a device for avoiding sudden infant death is proposed which comprises a detection device for detecting at least one infant-specific condition parameter and a wake-up device for waking the infant in dependence on a value of the detected state parameter. Such a wake-up device provides an automated wake-up function which is independent of human monitoring and / or intervention (eg, checking the Vital parameters of the infant and possibly awakening by the parents) ensures a safe and cost-effective prevention of SID. The present invention addresses the problem of SID at the root, namely the sleep of the infant itself. Because an awake baby is - at least to the present state of knowledge - not endangered by SID. It is assumed that the sleep state of the infant is an essential prerequisite for the occurrence of SID. The reason for this is that only in the sleep state, the autonomic nervous system has the upper hand and in the subconscious controls only the most important vital functions (such as breathing, heartbeat, etc.), so that external factors that can endanger these primary vital functions (such as heat, lack of air, etc.) can not be perceived by the consciousness and therefore no voluntary countermeasures can be initiated (eg free-kicking, turning around, screaming, etc.). However, because of course - especially in infants - a sufficient sleep time is essential for the body, it is not appropriate to arouse the baby regularly (eg at predetermined time intervals). Here, another advantage of the present invention becomes apparent, since the waking device is arranged to wake the infant in response to a value of a baby-specific conditional parameter detected by a detection means, whereby the wake-up operation is based on an infant-related decision base, which advantageously reduces the wake-up frequency.

Preferably, the device according to the invention further comprises a test device for checking whether the value of the detected state parameter is within or outside a predetermined

Range of values, which includes all values of the state parameter, which represent a risk for the occurrence of sudden infant death, wherein the waking device is arranged to wake the infant if at least this one value of the detected state parameter is within this predetermined value range. It is particularly advantageous if the wake-up device is set up to wake up the infant only if at least this one value of the detected state parameter lies within this predetermined value range. The awakening can take place immediately after the risk value has been presented or with a constant or variable time delay after the risk value has been presented. It is also possible to make the wake-up process dependent on the simultaneous occurrence of multiple predefinable risk values for several different state parameters.

The advantage of this embodiment is that the awakening frequency can be limited to a necessary level and thus the sleep duration can be optimized, because the infant is awakened only when there is a risk for the onset of SID.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a warning device for issuing a warning preferably immediately, if it has been determined by the test device that the value of the detected state parameter is within the predetermined value range, wherein the waking device is set up, the infant only after Wake up a predetermined period of time after the warning has been issued. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that first of all, caregivers (eg, parents) of the infant can be alerted by the warning and be made aware that the testing device has detected an indication of a potentially existing SID risk. Preferably, the issuing of this warning takes place in such a way that only the caregiver is alerted and possibly awakened without the sleeping infant being able to perceive the warning. This can be realized, for example, by the fact that the warning device is spatially separated from the sleeping infant (eg in the bedroom of the parents) and the parents there with an acoustic and / or visual warning signal (eg loud sound and / or bright light) makes attentive or wakes. The warning instruction can either be wired or wireless (eg infrared or radio wave based) of the

Test device or transmitted from a coupled with this central control device to the warning device. If the infant and parent should sleep close to each other (for example, in a bed together), a jolt alert signal is recommended that, while alerting the parents, does not bother the infant at first. The time delay of the awakening process leaves enough time for the parents to get a personal picture of the state of health of the sleeping infant and, if appropriate, to deactivate the waking device before the expiry of the delay time period, when the parents determine that everything is in order. Since the choice of the risk value range for the safety of the infant should be rather too small, there will always be a "blind alarm", ie the baby would be awakened, even though there is no acute danger in the introductory part of the description already explained complexity and not completely clarified connections of the SID problematic can not be avoided.

In this way, the waking frequency of the infant compared to the last-described embodiment can be reduced even further to the absolutely necessary level and thus the sleeping time of the infant can be maximized.

In this embodiment, it is also possible to make the duration of the time delay of the wake-up process dependent on which and / or how many infant-specific state parameters have a value in the defined risk value range and / or how far such a risk value is from the respectively still permissible value of the relevant one State parameter is removed. The more severe the relevant state parameter weighs for the SID risk, the more state parameters have a value in the specified risk value range, and the further such a risk value is away from the respectively still permissible value of the relevant state parameter, the shorter the duration of the time delay of the wake-up process should be , As a result, depending on the severity of the SID risk, it can be responded to in a reasonable amount of time.

The time delay of the awakening process can also be used in other ways. Namely, the infant-specific health parameter normalizes within the time delay period from a value within the risk value range to an outside value of the risk value range, the awakening device can be deactivated automatically, ie automatically without human intervention, so that the infant is not unnecessarily woken up.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for preventing sudden infant death further comprises an acknowledgment device for confirming the acknowledgment of the warning issued by the warning device, wherein the awakening device is deactivatable by confirming the acknowledgment of the warning within the predetermined period of time, so that the infant is not aroused within the predetermined period of time confirmation of the warning.

This embodiment combines the advantage of security in that the potentially SID-vulnerable infant is woken up if the parents should not respond to the alert, with the benefit of maximizing the infant's sleep duration (see above).

In contrast to the positioning of the warning device, it is advantageous for the confirmation device when it is in the vicinity of the sleeping infant. This ensures that the parents actually have to go to the infant to stop the wakeup process. This ensures that parents do not stop the automated wake-up process without looking after the baby.

For the specific embodiment of the wake-up device in the above-described embodiments of the invention, for example, a Rüttelmatte into consideration, which is placed under the infant. This vibrating mat is capable of generating vibrations and transmitting them to the infant so that it wakes up as a result of these vibrations. But it is also possible any other configuration that is suitable to wake the baby safely. Also conceivable, for example, are devices which are set up to wake the infant by means of one or more sound and / or light emissions. A combination of the above methods increases the likelihood that the infant will actually be awakened upon activation of the awakening device.

There are many possibilities for the specific design of the detection device or for the selection of the infant-specific condition parameters to be detected. For example, all parameters listed in the introductory part of the description individually or in any combination are also suitable for the purpose of SID prevention in the context of the present invention. These parameters include, among other things, the temperature and / or humidity of at least one body part of the infant (here preferably in the neck and / or between the shoulder blades), respiration (absolute respiratory activity and / or respiratory rate) and heart rate. The possible parameters also include any temporal change rates of the mentioned variables. A further advantageous embodiment of the detection device comprises at least one sensor unit for determining the body position of the infant. As explained in detail at the beginning, the body position of the baby - and in particular the distinction between prone and non-prone - is an influential criterion for the occurrence of SID.

According to a first specific form of a position sensor, an acceleration sensor is considered. This acceleration sensor can be attached, for example, in the region of the breast of the infant to the clothing. Thereafter, the infant is put to sleep in the SID-low-risk supine position. If the infant now turns to the side or to the stomach during sleep, this corresponds to a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the infant body and thus about the longitudinal axis of the correspondingly oriented acceleration sensor. The acceleration that causes this rotational movement can be measured by the acceleration sensor. Preferably, the acceleration component acting radially with respect to the longitudinal axis is measured here, which is very specific for the approximate circular movement of the body about its longitudinal axis. Thus, the SID-promoting rotation in the prone position can be distinguished from other harmless movements of the infant (e.g., kicking, which causes rather rapidly changing acceleration forces in the axial direction), which significantly reduces the frequency of "blind alarm".

According to a second specific form of a position sensor, a gravity sensor is considered. Again, the gravity sensor can be attached, for example, in the chest of the infant to the clothing. Thereafter, the infant is again put to sleep in the SID-low-risk supine position. The gravity in the position of the supine position of the infant is then, for example, + lg on the x-axis. As the infant turns to the side, the direction of gravity in the sensor changes (e.g., + lg or -g on the y-axis). If the infant is then sometime on his stomach, the direction of gravity in the sensor is at least approximately opposite to the direction of gravity in the sensor in the initial supine measurement, for example, -Ig on the x-axis. As a result, an exact assignment of the position of the infant to the sensor data is possible. Kicking or other movements of the infant cause only small changes in the direction of gravity in the sensor.

According to a third special possibility, for determining the body position of the infant, a thermal imaging camera for taking a thermal image of the infant is proposed. Namely, not only the temperature of the infant can be monitored with the help of a two-dimensional thermal image (see also above explanations for measuring the temperature and / or humidity of at least one body part of the infant), but also its position. Using an image processing device, the thermal image data can be evaluated with the aid of suitable algorithms (eg contour or shape recognition by comparison with previously stored patterns) and thus the position of the infant can be determined. In addition, the degree of coverage of the infant can be determined by the fact that on the thermal image uncovered body parts such as head, hands, etc. clearly emerge. Other body regions covered by clothing, quilts or pillows also stand out from the cooler environment due to their heat development, but not as strongly as the uncovered parts of the body.

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Show it:

1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention,

2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the embodiments

Fig. 1 illustrates in a schematic representation of an initial form of the present invention. Accordingly, a corresponding device for avoiding sudden infant death comprises a detection device 10 for detecting at least one infant-specific condition parameter P and a waking device 20 for waking the baby B in response to a value of the detected state parameter P. The current values of the detected state parameters P preferably pass over (here The infant is preferably awakened by applying the baby B with vibrations V, sound emissions S and / or light emissions L. By setting up the waking device, the infant is dependent on a value of one of a detection device to awaken the detected infant-specific condition parameter, the waking process is based on an infant-related decision-making basis, which advantageously reduces the wake-up frequency.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which is based on the embodiment of FIG. 1. The device further comprises a test device 30 for checking whether the value of the detected state parameter P is within or outside a predetermined value range, which comprises all values of the state parameter P which represent a risk for the occurrence of sudden infant death. The awakening device 20 is set up, the Wake up infant B, if at least this one value of the detected state parameter P is within this predetermined range of values. The advantage of this embodiment is that the awakening frequency can be limited to a necessary level and thus the sleep duration can be optimized, because the infant is awakened only when there is a risk for the onset of SID.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention which is based on the two embodiments described above. Accordingly, the device further comprises a warning device 40 for outputting a warning W when it has been determined by the test device 30 that the value of the detected state parameter P is within the predetermined risk value range. The awakening device 20 is set up to wake up the baby B only after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the warning W has been issued. The advantage of this embodiment is that the warning W can first of all alert caregivers (for example, parents) of the baby B and make them aware that the testing device 30 has detected an indication of a potentially existing SID risk. In this way, the awakening frequency of the infant B compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2 can be reduced even further to the absolutely necessary level and thus the sleeping time of the baby B can be maximized.

Fig. 4 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here, the infant sudden death prevention apparatus further comprises a confirmation means 50 for confirming the notice of the warning W issued from the warning device 40. The awakening device 20 is deactivatable by confirming the notice of the warning W within the predetermined time so that the infant B is within the predetermined period of time confirmation of the warning W is not awakened. Preferably, the issuing of this warning takes place in such a way that only the carer is alerted and possibly awakened without the sleeping baby B being able to perceive the warning. This can be realized, for example, in that the warning device 40 is spatially separate from the sleeping baby B (eg in the parents' bedroom) and alerts the parents there with an audible and / or visual warning signal (eg loud sound and / or bright light) or wakes up. The warning instruction can be transmitted to the warning device 40 either by wire or wirelessly (eg, infrared or radiowave-based) from the test device 30 or from a central control device coupled thereto. If baby B and parents should sleep close to each other (eg in a bed together), there is a jolt alert signal that, although it shakes parents awake, does not bother baby B at first. The time delay of the awakening process leaves enough time for the parents to get a personal picture of the state of health of the sleeping infant B and, if necessary, to deactivate the awakening device 20 before the expiration of the delay period if the parents determine that everything is in order. This embodiment combines the benefit of security in that the potentially SID-vulnerable infant B is woken up if the parents should not respond to the alert, with the benefit of maximizing the sleep duration of the infant B.

In contrast to the positioning of the warning device 40, it is advantageous for the confirmation device 50 when it is in the vicinity of the sleeping infant B. This ensures that the parents actually have to go to the baby B (this is indicated in FIG. 4 by the dashed arrow from the caregiver who is sleeping, for example, in the parental bedroom to the position of the caregiver separately at the confirmation device 50) Abort automaticity of the awakening process. This ensures that parents do not stop the automated wake-up process without looking after the baby. The confirmation of the warning signal can be made at the confirmation device 50 via a user interface (eg keyboard or touch screen) located there.

Claims

claims

A device for preventing sudden infant death, comprising detecting means (10) for detecting at least one infant-specific condition parameter (P) and waking means (20) for waking the infant (B) in response to a value of the detected condition parameter (P).

Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising checking means (30) for checking whether the value of the detected state parameter (P) is within or outside a predetermined range of values, which is all values of

Conditional parameter (P) presenting a risk of the onset of sudden infant death, said waking means (20) being arranged to wake the infant (B) if at least said one of said detected conditional parameter (P) is within said predetermined range of values.

3. A device according to claim 2, further comprising warning means (40) for preferably immediately issuing a warning (W) when it has been determined by the checking means (30) that the value of the detected state parameter (P) is within the predetermined value range, wherein the waking device (20) is adapted to awaken the baby (B) only after a predetermined period of time after issuing the warning (W).

The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising confirmation means (50) for confirming the acknowledgment of the one of

Warning device (40) emitted warning (W), wherein the wake-up device (20) by confirming the acknowledgment of the warning (W) within the predetermined period of time is deactivated, so that the infant (B) within within the predetermined time period confirmation of the warning (W ) is not awakened.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wake-up device (20) comprises a Rüttelmatte which is adapted to wake the infant (B) by means of vibrations (V).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wake-up device (20) comprises a sound and / or light-emitting device which is adapted to awaken the baby (B) by means of sound (S) and / or light (L).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection means (10) comprises at least one sensor unit (10a) for measuring the temperature and / or humidity of at least one body part of the infant (B).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detection means (10) comprises at least one sensor unit (10b) for determining the body position of the infant (B).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor unit (10b) for determining the body position of the infant comprises an acceleration sensor and / or a gravity sensor which is attachable to / in a clothing of the infant (B) or on the body of the infant.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the sensor unit (10b) for determining the body position of the infant (B) comprises a thermal imaging camera for taking a thermal image of the infant (B).

The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising image processing means for determining the body position of the infant (B) from the thermal image data.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection device (10) is wirelessly or by wire coupled at least with the test device (30) or with a central control device.